Saturday, 20 December 2014

Does the coxeni race of the Double-eyed Fig-Parrot - quite possibly a distinct species - still exist, or is it extinct? An intriguing sighting of a group of small, green parrots in the Sunshine Coast hinterland recently has again sparked hopes that the parrot may indeed survive. A local observer watched the birds for several minutes high in a Ficus tree in the Tuchekoi area of the Mary River Valley in early-December.

The observer, who does not want to be identified, watched the parrots feeding on figs through 10x binoculars and a 16x rifle scope (used for feral animal control) on a privately owned farm. He believed 3 or 4 birds were in the tree. The birds were described as tiny, green parrots with no visible head colouration, but bright blue wing flashes were noted on several occasions although the birds were quite distant. It is this feature which makes the observation particularly interesting. The patches of red and blue on the face of Coxen's Fig-Parrot are not nearly as obvious as they are in the northern races of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (and are much duller than in the painting above); they could have been overlooked easily at some distance. However, the blue wing flashes - and the observer is adamant they were seen - are hard to ascribe to anything else. The sighting of the birds feeding on figs is also significant; this has been rarely reported in claimed records of Coxen's Fig-Parrot in recent times.

Fruit and leaves from parrot feeding tree

The observer says Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves were also feeding on figs in the tree. He collected and photographed the remains of small figs from the ground below where the birds were feeding. The identity of the farm property is not being revealed by the observer as it is presently subject to an intensive feral animal control program. The tree was in a patch of vine scrub in farm pasture in a stretch of the Mary River Valley where good numbers of Ficus trees remain. When I visited the general area (not the property) this morning, I saw plenty of Australasian Figbirds and a good sprinkling of other birds feeding on figs including Barred Cuckoo-shrike, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Eastern Koel.

Tree where Fig-Parrots were possibly seen

There have been no authenticated records of Coxen's Fig-Parrot for about 25 years or so. None of numerous claimed sightings over that time have been able to be confirmed by photographs or follow-up observations, leading to speculation that the bird may be extinct in its habitat of lowland rainforest in south-east Queensland and north-east NSW. This latest may well well prove to be yet another unconfirmed sighting, but Sunshine Coast birders and people visiting the region might want to keep an eye out. There are a number of unconfirmed sightings of Coxen's Fig-Parrot from the Mary River Valley region since the 1980s as well as historic records.

Paradise Riflebird

From Tuchekoi I moved on to an excellent area of lowland rainforest along Cedar Creek Road in the western foothills of the Blackall Range. Of interest here was a nicely performing Paradise Riflebird and a pair of Lewin's Rail in creekside vegetation. Plenty of Wompoo and Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves were about.

Paradise Riflebird

More common fare in open areas nearby around Belli Park included Red-browed Finch and Red-backed Fairy-wren.

Sunday, 14 December 2014

UPDATED JULY 2015
The Yandina Creek
Wetlands, a short distance inland from Coolum Beach on Queensland's
Sunshine Coast, has emerged as an environmental site of statewide and national importance. The presence of an unusually diverse
array of rare, threatened and difficult-to-find birds in the wetlands
and associated grasslands provides a compelling case for their
protection as a reserve.

A proposal is before
the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Nomination Number R100) to
acquire two properties (Lots 3 and 4 RP148079) that
cover the wetlands - totalling almost 200 hectares - under the
council's Environmental Levy Plan. Works have begun to drain the wetlands, although they are reversible. The council has ruled out acquisition in 2015-16 but left the door open to purchases in the future, possibly with financial assistance from the federal and/or Queensland governments.

The purpose of this report is to indicate the potential implications
of any move to destroy the wetlands move under federal and state environmental legislation,
and under local government planning regulations, and to advance the
case for conserving the area. The report will be updated regularly so readers are aware of the current situation.

Yandina Creek Wetlands: Looking West to Mt Ninderry

The Yandina Creek
Wetlands are on former sugarcane land that has not been farmed for
10 years since the properties were sold. The wetlands exist because they are
replenished by tidal flooding from the Maroochy River through a maze
of canals that criss-cross the properties; this happened because flood gates and sluices were not maintained after sugar farming ceased. Although in a sense created artificially,
the wetlands and grasslands have replaced habitat which
occurred naturally in the area before the development of cane farms: similar freshwater and brackish wetlands, and short wallum heathland.
The canals and flood gates provide an excellent opportunity to now
manage the wetlands as a viable habitat in the future. However, work is in progress to repair the floodgates and block the water flow to the wetlands.

BIRDLIFE

The bird list for
the wetlands is impressive (see a full list of species at the end of
this report). Species that are considered to be rare or uncommon in
Australia that occur there include Australian Painted-Snipe,
Australian Little Bittern, Eastern Grass Owl and King Quail. The area
contains what may well be the highest density of Eastern Grass Owl in
southern Queensland, with several pairs resident.

Grey Goshawk: Near Threatened

Birds that are rare,
uncommon or localised in south-east Queensland that frequent or visit
the wetlands include Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Spotless Crake,
Baillon's Crake, Red-necked Avocet, Red-kneed Dotterel, Bush
Stone-Curlew, Large-tailed Nightjar, Red-backed Buttonquail and
Black-tailed Native-hen. Several of
these species have been seen in the Sunshine Coast region only at
this site. The
record of Large-tailed
Nightjar constitutes
a southern extension of range for this species.

Birds considered to
be more generally scarce in Queensland seen at the Yandina Creek
Wetlands include Australian Spotted Crake, Grey Goshawk, Peregrine
Falcon and Spotted Harrier. The wetlands and grasslands in the area
at times host a large number of birds of prey when populations of
native rodents (Rattus lutreolus and Rattus tunneyi)
are present.

Variety of Waterbirds at Yandina Creek Wetlands

Twelve species of
migratory shore birds frequent the wetlands, with a population often totalling several hundred: Pacific
Golden Plover, Lesser Sand
Plover, Latham's Snipe,
Curlew-Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint,
Broad-billed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruddy
Turnstoneand
Black-tailed Godwit. Unusually
large numbers of Marsh Sandpiper and Latham's Snipe occur there. Pectoral Sandpiper and Broad-billed Sandpiper are regarded as two of the rarer migratory
shorebirds that visit
Australian shores. Flocks of
100 or more Pacific Golden Plover are recorded. An estimated 120-150 Latham's Snipe gather in the wetlands prior to their northward migration - one of the largest concentration of this species recorded in Australia. About 20-30 snipe are present in the wetlands throughout the migratory season (September-April).

AUSTRALIAN
GOVERNMENT

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,
the Australian Government is required to prevent actions that have a
significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.
Two such matters pertain to the Yandina Creek Wetlands: the
occurrence of Australian Painted-Snipe; and the occurrence of 12 species of migratory shorebird, including the Critically Endangered Curlew-Sandpiper.

The
Australian
Painted-Snipe has been recorded several times at the Yandina Creek
Wetlands, with as many as seven birds present
at one time. Areas
of flooded stubble and
exposed mud interspersed
with extensive reed-beds
provide excellent habitat for this cryptic
bird.
The species is listed as Endangered under the federal legislation,
rendering it a matter of
national environmental significance. A plan for onshore developments at Pt Abbott, near Bowen, for coal-mining industry expansion will adversely affect significant habitat for the Australian Painted Snipe in the Cayley Wetlands. Offset funds could be provided by the Pt Abbott developers to purchase the Yandina Creek Wetlands to protect Australian Painted Snipe habitat.

To ensure the conservation of migratory shorebirds, the Australian
Government has fostered international co-operation through three
Migratory Bird Agreements - with Japan, China and South Korea.
Australia is also a signatory to the Convention on the Conservation
of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention); the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands; and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Partnership. These international agreements commit Australia to take
appropriate measures to preserve, restore and enhance the environment
of migratory birds. The Commonwealth has international obligations to
seek means to prevent damage to populations of migratory shorebirds.

Pacific Golden Plover: Migrtory Shorebird

The Yandina Creek Wetlands provide refuge to 12 of the 33 migratory
shorebird species covered by these agreements that are regarded as a
matter of national environmental significance. The wetlands are the
most significant brackish water and freshwater site for migratory
shorebirds (and other waterbirds) in the Sunshine Coast region and
one of the most important in south-east Queensland. The numbers of just one of these 12 shorebird species - Latham's Snipe - found in the wetlands indicate that under the Commonwealth legislation and guidelines, it is a site of national and perhaps international importance.

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,
an action that will or is likely to have a significant impact on a
matter of national environmental significance requires the approval
of the federal Environment Minister. Any such action must undergo an
environmental assessment and approval process. Penalties for taking
such action without approval are substantial: a fine of up to $5.5
million and up to 7 years jail. Significant impact criteria under
the act for endangered species includes any action that would modify,
destroy or decrease the availability of habitat to the extent that
the species is likely to decline.

Map of Yandina Creek Wetlands

The federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, wrote to the landholders, advising them of their responsibility to comply with the provisions of Commonwealth legislation. The legislation appears to require the undertaking of an environmental assessment and approval process
before any proposal for development proceeds. This assessment would attempt to determine the
potential impacts on the two matters of national environmental
significance pertaining to the area. The department has undertaken an inspection of the properties and appears to have concluded that the drainage works presently underway do not breach Commonwealth law. This is because in the short term, the landholders plan to re-establish sugarcane plantations, thereby continuing an existing use.

The longer term plans of the landholders are unclear. The minister can be written to and asked to ensure that the legislation is complied with, and to provide funds to the Sunshine Coast Council (see below) to acquire at least one of the three properties that comprise the wetlands:

The
Queensland Government appears
to have a responsibility to
examine plans to drain and
develop the Yandina Creek
Wetlands under the Nature Conservation Act. The wetlands provide
habitat for the
above-mentioned Australian
Painted Snipe, a species listed as Vulnerable under the state
act, and for
three species that were until recently listed as Near Threatened: Lewin's Rail, Grey Goshawk
and Black-necked Stork. The population of Lewin's Rail in the
wetlands is relatively
large, with an estimated
12-15 breeding pairs. Shortly before it lost power in the January 2015 election, the Liberal National Party Government of Premier Campbell Newman removed Lewin's Rail, Grey Goshawk and Black-necked Stork from the list of Near Threatened species. However, the new Labor Government of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is reviewing the LNP's actions in substantially watering down environmental protections see here for more on the Queensland LNP's woeful environmental record.

Broken Canal Flood Gate: Yandina Creek Wetlands

Under
state legislation, the
proposed management intent for
Vulnerable wildlife includes action to ensure viable populations are
preserved or re-established, and for effective measures to
mitigate any adverse impact of activities on the wildlife. The
management intent for Near Threatened wildlife includes putting into
effect strategies to address any threats to the conservation of the
wildlife. The management
intent for both Vulnerable and Near Threatened wildlife includes
action to protect the
critical habitat, or the areas of major interest, for the wildlife.Moreover, Queensland has acted to ensure the protection of environmentally significant wetlands designated by the state under its Aquatic
Conservation Assessment program operated by the state Environment Department's
Conservation and Sustainability Services Division. The state has not undertaken any assessment to determine the worth of the Yandina Creek Wetlands.

A recent inspection from property boundaries has revealed the existence of several hectares of mangroves in the eastern sector of Lot 3. According to the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, all marine plants growing on or adjacent to tidal lands are protected under Queensland law through provisions of theFisheries Act 1994. The destruction, damage or disturbance of marine plants without prior approval from Fisheries Queensland is prohibited. Heavy penalties apply to any unauthorised disturbances that impact on marine plants on all private and public lands. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has been alerted to the presence of mangroves on the property and of plans to drain the area. The department has investigated the matter but declines to reveal the outcome of its investigation.

The Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection has
been asked to examine plans to drain and develop the Yandina Creek
Wetlands to ensure that they would have no impacts on Vulnerable
and Near Threatened wildlife species. The minister has also been asked to assess whether the Yandina Creek Wetlands can be classified as a wetland protection area. Those who have written to the minister asking him to act in the interests of protecting the wetlands include Peter Wellington, the local state MP and parliamentary Speaker. The minister has agreed to visit the wetlands, although his department has dismissed the area as unimportant because the wetlands are "modified". This view ignores the fact that wetlands around the world are being created artificially because so few remain in their natural state. And the wetlands at Yandina Creek have re-established the habitat that was there naturally in any event. The minister can be contacted and asked to ensure that state laws are complied with, and for the Queensland Government to assist the Sunshine Coast Council with funding (see below) to acquire the properties.

The properties covering the wetlands are zoned Regional Landscape and
Rural Production under the South-East Queensland Regional Plan, so
they can not be subdivided. They are zoned Rural by the Sunshine
Coast Council.

The council plans for the properties include a series of overlays
which potentially restrict development plans. These include three
Land Subject to Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands overlays.
Designated overlays of Native Vegetation and Wetland cover about 30
per cent of Lot 3RP148079 - the largest of the three properties. As
well, about 40 per cent of 3RP is covered by a Riparian Protection
Area overlay, as is approximately 10 per cent of Lot 4RP148079, and
50 per cent of Lot 2RP107173.

Coastal wetlands in south-east Queensland are underlain by estuarine sediments potentially containing acid sulfate soils. Drainage of the wetlands could lead to drainage of the groundwater and oxidation of acid sulfate soils, leading to acid discharge into Yandina Creek and the Maroochy River, potentially affecting water quality and fish habitat. Draining can also result in the development of acid scalds on the soil surface. Much of the land in question is subject to an
Acid Sulfate Soils overlay on council maps. The overlay maps can be accessed here..

Yandina Creek: Northern Boundary of Wetlands

The designated area covered by the overlays, especially on 3RP,
includes some of the richest habitat of wetland and grassland - along
with some of the densest concentrations of waterbirds - on the
properties. Council guidelines say the purpose of the Biodiversity, Waterways and
Wetlands overlays is to ensure that any development protects and
enhances ecologically important areas. Any development should protect
known populations and supporting habitat of rare and threatened
species listed under the above-mentioned state and Commonwealth laws.
Any development should be located and managed to avoid or minimise
adverse impacts on ecological systems.

The council's Criteria for Assessable Development says that rural use
on property should not be located on land identified as being a
wetland or waterway on a Biodiversity, Waterways and Wetlands
overlay. The proposed draining and development of the Yandina Creek
Wetlands may have impacts for the land identified by the council as
wetland.

According to the council's Development Services Department, the
council is not concerned about whether the wetlands are natural or
human-modified. Any development that threatened designated wetlands
or native vegetation areas would be in the breach of the Town Plan. A
complaint can be lodged against any such development and that
complaint would trigger a council investigation. However, landholders
may be able to prove an Existing Use on farmland, which could exempt
them from some provisions, even if the land has been fallow for
several years.

The Sunshine Coast Mayor was asked to approve the proposal to
acquire the three properties at issue under the council's Environment
Levy Plan (Nomination Number R100) so they may be protected as a
reserve. The properties abut the council's existing Coolum Creek Reserve and would complement its environmental value. This arrangement would also facilitate easier and more efficient management of the wetlands.

The council has decided the properties will not be acquired in the 2015-16 financial year. The cost of even one of the major properties comprising the wetlands (Lot 3 or Lot 4) would appear to be beyond the council's financial resources. It is therefore essential that the federal and Queensland governments assist with funding. Meanwhile, the mayor has been asked to ensure that drainage works have no impacts on areas designated as
wetlands, native vegetation and riparian protection. The council has not undertaken any scientific assessment to determine the value of the wetlands. The mayor can be written to and asked to do all in the council's power to protect the area.

The largest area of land embracing the wetlands – two of the three properties proposed for acquisition; Lots 3 and
4RP148079 – is owned by members of a Sunshine Coast family which owns other
properties in the region.

A number of individuals and environmental and birding organising have
expressed support for moves to protect the wetlands. The landholders had been asked to consider allowing a survey of the site to be undertaken
by a team of visiting experts; such a survey would attempt to paint a
wider picture of the fauna and flora occurring on the properties. Unfortunately, the landholders declined permission for a survey to proceed.

The landholders of Lot 3 had indicated their intention to develop the wetlands as
farmland for cattle grazing. However, the landholders have since leased the property back to the original cane farm owners; works to drain the wetlands on the property so that cane plantations can be re-established are underway. The move appears to be designed to circumvent Commonwealth and state environmental protection laws, because it continues an existing land use (although no cane has been grown for more than 10 years). However, the landowners have not ruled out
accepting a financial offer to acquire the properties for
conservation purposes, and the drainage works are reversible.

The landholders of Lot 4 have declined to participate in discussions to date. Their address is the same as the Vantage Building Group - a major Sunshine Coast property developer. Their long-term plans for the property are unknown.

River Road - Flooding February 2015

The area generally floods extensively during heavy rains, raising doubts about the long-term viability of cattle grazing or residential development such as canal estate on the land. Flood mitigation alone is a powerful reason for protecting the wetlands in this flood-prone region.

SUGAR
CANE FARMS AND WETLANDS

In 2003, the Moreton sugar mill in Nambour closed, removing a market
for the district’s 120 cane

growers who had been harvesting cane from almost 10,000 hectares of
farmland in the Sunshine Coast area. According to Future
Use of Sunshine Coast Cane Landscapes, a
2006 report commissioned by SEQ Catchments from the CSIRO, most of
the land
– about 7,000 hectares – is flood-prone and poorly drained,
limiting farming opportunities for landholders. The report says
the future of the cane lands rests in part with the conversion of
former cane land to wetlands for the purpose of addressing draining
and flooding issues, while at the same
time achieving biodiversity
outcomes.

Waterfowl Flying Over Yandina Creek Wetlands

The report says: “Maintaining or restoring wetlands is an important
opportunity associated with any future land use change. Improved
wetland management provides significant opportunities for increased
ecosystem services from the cane landscapes. Apart from retaining or
enhancing the essential regulatory services for water within the
floodplains, provisioning through fish habitats, nature-based
educational opportunities could be expanded. There is a promising
potential for re-instating wetlands or creating artificial wetlands
(compatible with local conservation and land use values) for waste
water polishing.” The report can be found here.

The conversion of sugar cane land to wetlands – or the reversion of
farmland to its original state as wetlands - has occurred widely in
Queensland and north-east NSW. For instance, Vine and Rita Papale,
cane farmers in the Burdekin region of north Queensland, successfully converted part of their farm to wetlands with financial assistance
from the Commonwealth after finding they were losing areas of cane to
flooding.

THE
FUTURE

If the Yandina Creek Wetlands are acquired as a reserve, some
management issues could be addressed. A population of
feral dogs is using the wetlands as a refuge; a dead Black-necked
Stork was found recently in a feral dog lair. One of the major advantages of the acquisition plan is that flows through open canal gates allow the wetlands to be essentially self-managing. The frequent inundation of tidal water keeps the growth of weeds and overgrowth of Melaleuca
and Allocasurina trees under control.

Black-necked Stork Remains in Feral Dog Lair: Yandina Creek Wetlands

A network of old farming roads and cane farm tramways could be upgraded to walking tracks to
allow public access to an area that is aesthetically pleasing - with
the dramatic backdrops to the wetlands of Mt Coolum to the east and
Mt Ninderry to the west – as well as biologically significant. The potential is there for a first-class ecotourism attraction.

If the wetlands are acquired by the Sunshine Coast Council,
they could be added to the adjoining Coolum Creek Conservation Park,
which borders Yandina Creek in the south and Coolum Creek in the
north. This conservation park, although extensive, is dominated by
densely vegetated Melaleuca and Allocasuarina woodland
with few open wetland or grassland areas, and little habitat that is
suitable for waterbirds.

Wetlands and grasslands on another property adjoining the site were destroyed in 2012: see here for images of what can be expected if proposals for pasture development on the area proposed now for conservation proceed.

More on the recent drainage works can be found here. Those who are concerned about the wetlands can sign and send a letter online to the Sunshine Coast Mayor, urging him to act to stop and reverse any drainage works, and to undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment of the area. The letter from BirdLife Australia can be found here.

A petition can be signed calling on the federal Environment Minister to provide funds to the Sunshine Coast Council to allow it to acquire at least one of the properties concerned, and to intervene to block drainage works. The petition can be accessed here.

Sunday, 7 December 2014

A Black Petrel and good numbers of Tahiti Petrel were the highlights of a pelagic trip off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday December 6, 2014. Conditions were calm as we departed the Mooloolaba Marina at 6.30am but we soon encountered the swell associated with several days of stiff northerlies off the coast as we headed east.

Black Petrel

Black Petrel

A few Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were all that we encountered before arriving at the edge of the shelf at 9am in 300 metres, 32 nautical miles offshore (26.36.76'S: 153.43.70'E). It remained overcast and warm (maximum 30 degrees) for the day with frequent showers, a swell of 1.3-1.6 metres, and a steady northerly blowing at 14-16 knots, gusting to 20 knots at times.

Black Petrel

Black Petrel

We saw our first Tahiti Petrel as soon as began laying a trail of shark liver berley. Others appeared soon after and good numbers of Tahiti Petrels were about the boat for the rest of the time we were on the shelf. We drifted in a south-easterly direction with the current.

Tahiti Petrel

At about 11am a Black Petrel appeared over the boat. The first of its species to be seen on a Sunshine Coast pelagic, the bird was to come and go over the next hour. Interestingly, the petrel - possibly a first year bird - had an aluminium band on its right leg. The only other birds seen off the shelf were Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and an occasional Crested Tern.

Tahiti Petrel

Tahiti Petrel

A nice pod of 4 Short-finned Pilot Whales circuited the boat a couple of times and a Manta Ray appeared on the surface. We drifted 6 nautical miles and were 34nm offshore when we started heading back at 12.30pm, a little earlier than planned due to the unsettled conditions.

Short-finned Pilot Whale

Large numbers of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and a pod of Offshore Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen on our way back. We returned to the marina at 3pm.

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

A pair of Grey Goshawks nested successfully this time last year in a tall creekside eucalypt in vine scrub near Cooroy (see here). I checked the nest out earlier this season but there was no sign of the birds nesting again. However, I have located a new nest about 100 metres north of the old one, and again, a single chick has been raised.

Grey Goshawk on Nest

The old nest looks to be in perfectly good condition so I'm unsure why the birds elected to build afresh in what looks to be a much more flimsy situation. The chick found this week was slightly more advanced in plumage than the one found at the same time last year.

Black-necked Stork

An adult female Black-necked Stork was flying overhead near Eumundi.

White-winged Triller

A male White-winged Triller was present at the Yandina Creek Wetlands, where the rollcall of interesting birds continues to expand - see here for further information about this excellent spot, which we are trying to get protected. The triller is rarely recorded on the Sunshine Coast.

Black-tailed Godwit & Sharp-tailed Sandpipers

Also at the wetlands was a group of 8 Black-tailed Godwits, another species rarely recorded in the region. A single Swamp Harrier was also unusual at this time of year.

Tree Martins

Tree Martin

Tree Martin

A flock of about 1,000 Tree Martins was concentrated in a few dead acacias at the wetlands. It is unusual to see such a large concentration of this species in south-east Queensland. One or two Fairy Martins were among them. The full list from this visit is here.

Green Tree-Frog

Dry conditions in the region continue but 25mm of storm rain brought out a Green Tree-Frog in the Ninderry garden.

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove

Also in the garden, a pair of Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves in the big fruiting fig were unusual visitors.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Pheasant-Cuckoo

While other garden visitors include Pheasant-Coucal and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.